knick·ers

/nikərz/

noun

NORTH AMERICAN

loose-fitting trousers gathered at the knee or calf.

BRITISH

a woman’s or girl’s underpants.

Knickers are called knickers because of illustrations in a novel called the “A History of New York” by Diedrich Knickerbocker who was, supposedly a Dutchman living in New York (it was actually written by Washington Irving and published in 1809).

In Britain, the illustrations for the book showed a Dutchman wearing long, loose-fitting garments on his lower body. When men wore loose trousers for playing sports they were sometimes called knickerbockers. However in Britain women’s underwear were soon called knickerbockers too. In the late 19th century the word was shortened to knickers.

In the USA, knickers are called panties which is derived from the word “pants” (American for trousers). In the early 20th century panties became the name for female underwear in the USA. The word panties is sometimes used in the UK but it has never replaced the word knickers.

Saying, “Knickers” as an American is so satisfying.
Much sassier than “Panties”.